Turkey red

Turkey red was the name given to a red dye which had been developed from the root of the madder plant. The knowledge that madder was an effective red dye was not new. The Greeks, Libyans and Romans all used it as did the Moors. After its use was lost the Dutch rediscovered its cultivation in 1494 and for the next three hundred years were the world’s largest exporters.

The next forty years saw continual expansion of factories on both sides of the Leven including those at Ferryfield, Levenbank and Dalmonach. Scotland's first pyroligenous works at Millburn, Renton was also opened in 1793 by John Turnbull, one of the partners in William Stirling & Co. Its output of acid from timber was a major ingredient of the textile works. By the early 1820s the various owners and works and growing infrastructure were in place, waiting to take advantage of the next big thing. That thing was Turkey red and it would turn regional firms into multinationals, owners into millionaires and give the Vale of Leven a world wide reputation for quality.